PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 87t 



phates. On certain soils they would entirely fail, while on others 

 they might be useful. That marl contains everything needed for 

 the vegetable, is not sufficient to recommend it, for the same may 

 be said of granite. The question is the condition of these 

 elements. 



Mr. Gale said that if an empty barrel is turned over upon the 

 earth, and left for a few days, the earth will absorb all offensive 

 odor from it ; showing that the earth actually absorbs the am- 

 monia from the atmosphere above it. 



Dr. Waterbury said that mulching the ground was an advan- 

 tage, but that no top-dressing would cover one-tenth of the land. 

 The two leading soils upon which he would recommend top-dress- 

 ing, were, 1st. A soil so stony that it could not be plowed ; and, 

 2d. A soil so wet that it could not be plowed. 



On motion, the club adjourned. 



March 11, 1861. 



Mr. Quinn, of Newark, N. J., in the chair. 



Mr. Robinson exhibited specimens of everlasting flowers. 



Mr. Pardee remarked that these flowers were well worthy of 

 more extensive cultivation, being of every variety of color, and 

 drying without fading, so as to last for five years or more. He 

 stated also, that the heliotrope and perhaps other flowers will be 

 restored even after having wilted, and will be preserved by burn- 

 ing or charring about half an inch of the end of the stem. 



Mr. Fry exhibited models of a " steam horse of all work," for 

 drawing gangs of plows, carriages on common roads, driving sta- 

 tionary machinery, or for any other purpose for which power is 

 required. One model was especially designed for watering, or 

 spreading liquid manures. In plowing the furrows follow the 

 wheels, so that the ground is left perfectly light, without even a 

 footstep upon it. He stated that with this machine it would cost 

 but one-eight as much to plow the westel-n prairies as at present. 



Mr. Solon Robinson read various queries, from correspondents, 

 replying to them seriatim : 



1. Is sunflower seed of any value, besides feeding poultry? 

 He would advise it to be planted merely in waste places. It has 

 been grown for an oil crop ; but corn will pay better, even for 

 oil, than the sunflower. 



2. Wanted, a plaster for outside stone walls. Two good coats 



